Thousands Rally in Galilee Demanding Jewish Settlement Expansion

Thousands of Israelis gathered at the Uri Tzafon farm near Majd al-Krum for a rally and "Simchat Beit Hashoeva" celebration, calling for increased Jewish settlement in the Galilee. Organized by the Nahala movement, Galil Yehudi, and other right-wing groups, the event's central message was "Judaizing the Galilee," advocating for an active settlement policy rather than a defensive one. Organizers stated the rally was a response to recent events in the Majd al-Krum area, including alleged agricultural terrorism and the removal of Israeli flags, as well as counter-protests by Arab residents featuring what they described as nationalistic anti-Israel slogans.

The participants urged the government to establish new farms and settlements throughout the northern region, emphasizing that the gathering was not merely symbolic. Daniella Weiss, chairwoman of the Nahala movement, called for the immediate establishment of temporary sites and pioneer neighborhoods for dozens of new settlements in the Galilee and the Negev, drawing a parallel to settlement expansion in Judea and Samaria.

Member of Knesset Yitzhak Kroizer of Otzma Yehudit expressed support for the activists, stating that "Judaizing the Galilee is our mission" and aiming to increase the Jewish percentage in the area while removing what he termed the "Arab enemy." He linked the demands for settlement in the Galilee to ongoing efforts in Judea and Samaria and the Negev, calling it a major task for the next government.

Bela Erlich, chairwoman of the Galil Yehudi organization, asserted that many families, young couples, and youths are eager to join the effort and establish new settlements and farms in the Galilee. She stressed the importance of translating this willingness into a broad settlement initiative to ensure the region remains under Jewish control.